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Cubs want Bryant to stay at Double-A for now

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Bryant's two-run homer 0:20

2/28/14: Kris Bryant hits one to deep center for a two-run homer in the seventh

By Carrie Muskat
/
MLB.com |

CHICAGO -- Last year's first-round Draft pick, Kris Bryant, has done everything the Cubs have asked him to do at Double-A Tennessee, but general manager Jed Hoyer said they want the third baseman to stay at that level for now.

Bryant, the Cubs' No. 2 overall prospect, is challenging for the Southern League triple crown, leading in batting average (.351), home runs (18) and RBIs (49).

"Looking at his stats for the month of May, it's fun to see a guy put up that kind of month," Hoyer said of Bryant, who batted .407 last month with 12 homers and 34 RBIs in 29 games. "We tell every prospect to go dominate, and he's obviously doing that. We want to see it for a little longer. It's only been two months at that level."

Last season, Bryant split time between short-season Boise and Class A Advanced Daytona, combining to bat .336 with nine homers, 14 doubles and 32 RBIs in 36 games. He then played in the Arizona Fall League and was named the Most Valuable Player.

"Everything, from defense to baserunning to what he's done offensively, he's everything we hoped for, and hopefully he'll keep it up," Hoyer said.

Bryant was one of six players at Tennessee named to the Southern League All-Star team.